Finite Element Analysis for Adhesive Bonding Strength of Steel and FRP Composite Joint

Abstract

In the present study, Representative Volume Element (RVE) model is used to examine the mechanical behavior of adhesive bond between steel and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) plates using finite element analysis. By applying different loads of 2438.943 N, 3965.394 N, 4984.029 N in tensile test, 23 kN in four point bending test and 13.5 kN in specimen crack test, the von-Mises equivalent stress and specimen total deformation contours have been observed. For transient thermal test, the thermal shock waves have applied on GFRP for 12h and from -18oC to 25oC. In vibrational analysis, different specimen total deformation contours have been observed for various free natural frequencies. The maximum stress can be observed near the GFRP to adhesive bond interface in tensile test due to the failure and de-lamination of fibers through adhesive. The maximum temperature variation has been observed on the adhesive bond in thermal shock test due to the degradation of bonding behavior with respect to time. The increment in free vibrational frequency has been observed in free vibrational test because the specific mode of vibration is a function of linear frequency variation. The good agreement is achieved between the experimental and simulation data.